Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 38% approval rate for Joan G. Knight reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 28% to 72% range observed among the bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North. This data provides a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached their dockets.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Knight. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Knight's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for Joan G. Knight was 37% in 2016 and 40% in 2017, based on a total of 601 decisions on record since 2016. This trend shows a slight increase over the period covered by the available data. These figures provide insight into the judge's historical decision-making patterns within the Phoenix North office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Knight's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Phoenix North hearing office
The Phoenix North hearing office serves you if you are in Arizona and the surrounding region. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus is on the specific medical evidence supporting your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 28% to 72%. While these figures show variance across the bench, the process for presenting your medical evidence remains consistent.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Joan G. Knight has an approval rate of 38% based on 601 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 28% to 72% range of the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of how a judge's historical rate compares to their peers.
The approval rate for Joan G. Knight was 37% in 2016 and 40% in 2017. These figures are based on 601 total decisions on record since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by having a strong, evidence-based case. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the types of questions you might face during this process.
A judge's historical approval rate is a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Joan G. Knight has a 38% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
